District Playbook for High-Impact Tutoring

Inspiring a large team to unite behind a common vision amidst numerous complexities is a considerable challenge. Establishing clear details and expectations for all parties involved from the outset encourages future decisions that align with the core values of both the school and the provider. Section 4.4 has content related to district contract policies, development of a contract, agreement, or Memorandum of Understanding, and data-sharing agreements to help you create a contract with an external provider.

Choosing the appropriate vendor that fulfills the needs of everyone involved in a large, new initiative can be daunting. High-impact tutoring makes a substantial impact on students when it adheres to specific characteristics implemented with fidelity. Selecting a provider you will entrust with your students, time, and resources will impact student outcomes and overall satisfaction of your high-impact tutoring program. Section 4.1 shares tips and tools concerning selection criteria and marketplace insights to help develop a vision for your ideal tutoring provider.

Partnering with a provider can introduce expertise, scalability, and efficiency to a district’s program implementation. Providers reduce the burden on schools to develop and manage tutoring from scratch, offering trained tutors, prepared instructional materials, established program protocols, and more.

The content is organized into five components:

A successful high-impact tutoring program requires the collaboration of a diverse array of external stakeholders, because educating a child is truly a community effort. Ultimately, people with differing—and at times, conflicting—goals make the decisions about how time, money, and resources are allocated within a school district. Therefore, these stakeholders need to understand the value of the high-impact tutoring program.

Securing funding for a high-impact tutoring initiative can feel like solving an intricate puzzle. Accurately estimating costs will create a foundation for financial stability within the school. Section 3.2 offers guidance in program costs, funding sources, and innovative long-term strategies to finance this crucial driver of student success.

The success and lasting impact of any new initiative in a school hinges on the dedicated individuals who champion it. When the right leaders come together to inspire support and showcase the tangible benefits for students, there is potential to transform a program into a catalyst for enduring change. Furthermore, a central project manager can guide crucial decision-making toward a unified vision and ensure that changes positively impact all stakeholders and operations.

This section outlines the essential components of creating a sustainable high-impact tutoring program and focuses on program leadership, funding and budgeting, and stakeholder engagement. These elements ensure the program is well managed, financially stable, and supported by the community.

The content is organized into three components:

The decision that will impact all other decisions—and ultimately, the quality of your schools’ high-impact tutoring experience—is whether you decide to Build Your Own tutoring program “in-house”, Work with an External Provider, or rely on Provider Expertise to launch your high-impact tutoring program. While there is not one approach that is recommended above all others, the decision is an important one. The right tutoring approach for your school will depend on your schools’ timeframe for launch, current staff capacity, and available resources.

For every student in your school, there is a community of people that support the success of that student. From families and caregivers, to teachers, to principals, to content leaders, there are many with a role to play in decision-making for a student’s learning. Ensuring that the strategies and decisions for students are aligned and make genuine impact is no easy feat. That is why creating goals that give everyone a clear vision for a path forward is essential before implementing your high-impact tutoring program.